1St Birthday Party - Mountain View, CA

I completely agree with Linda! Take her good advice.

When my three sons were young, we would have a family party and a children's party. For the children's party a friend suggested I invite the number of friends as the year of the brithday boy's age. So when a son turned five, I invited five children. I didn't include the brothers in the number. This works beautifully. That would be my added advice.

But really, when I read you request I though you really need to get a life. If you have a party planner for a one year old what will be reqired for a ten year old or a sixteen year old? Don't set a standard that isn't necessary or that you won't be able to maintain over the years.

Hi R.,

I have to say that i am quite shocked by the harsh and non-helpful responses from people. All that you asked for was a referral of a party planner and some constructive ideas, not analysis and criticism of your thought process.

Anyways, i do know someone who organises kids parties. Her name is Manju and you can reach her at ###-###-####. She lives in North San Jose, but i think she has organised parties even as far as the East bay [i don't know where you live]. She is efficient, creative, has lots of ideas and has different levels at which she can help with your party - either she can do it all or help wherever you choose.

Do talk to her immdtly. And you can tell her that i gave you her number.

-B..

This may sound harsh, but really, a Party Planner for a one year old's birhtday? One year old children really don't have "friends" in the true sense because they haven't developed social skills yet, so the party is really for the adults. Instead of attempting an event, why not shoot for creating a memory for your family. It doesn't need to be extravagent or complicated. You have a great excuse to get people you care about together. Invite family and close friends. Include other one year olds and their parents if you're in a mommies group and have close ties with those moms.
Since the weather has been warm, why not a BBQ at your home or a local park. Take along some frisbees, beach balls, etc. for fun. If older children will be present, rent a jumping unit. They cost $100-$150 depending on the size and shape. The company you rent from handles setting theunit up and taking it down. I'm sure they have things like castles and such for little girls. Even adults like these things, in fact at our grandson's party last year, there were as many adults jumping as there were kids.
If you want entertainment, consider a clown who makes balloon animals and stuff. Or perhaps someone who puts on children's puppet shows.
Have a pretty birthday cake, 2 in fact. I always made a separate cake for my children and grandchildren on their first birthday. If she like a particular character, Winnie the Pooh, Big Bird, etc., you can check with a place like the Cake Works in San Jose to find someone who makes them if you don't bake yourself. Or have your favorite bakery make something appropriate and to your liking. The Birthday child's cake, I've always made in a small 6"-7" size. It is their cake. Make sure her clothes are protected or better yet, strip her down to a diaper. We put the Birthday child in a high chair, put the cake on the eating tray, and let them at it (that's why the small cake). Her little hands will probably be in it first, followed by a few bites into the frosting edges. Our chilren never ate more than a few bites, but ended up with cake and frosting all over themselves, much to the delight of the adults at our parties. The cake becomes a messy plaything.
Take movies of the day and lots of pictures.
To this day, the Birthday Party movies are my adult children's favorites. I've always gone with the KIS (keep it simple)principle and it's always worked well without going overboard and breaking the bank. I've watched some of our neighbors go overboard with rented horse rides, traveling circuses, etc. They spent a lot of money and the children lost interest quickly and didn't really appreciate the entertainment provided.
Good Luck with you 1st party. I hope some of these ideas help you.
L.

HI R.,

My daughter's 1st bday party will be next weekend and in the beginning I felt I wanted a big kids-party. The more I thought about it I have to agree with everyone else's opinion in here... at 1 they are overwhelmed very easily. My daughter moves from one thing to another to another withing minutes. We decided to make a family/ friends bday party and I have invited 4 other babies to the party. I know for a fact my daughter will be alredy overwhelmed and probably wondering why all these people came home? I am focusing on food, a super cuter cake (I can recommend a friend who is making it for us...), AND I am planning 2-3 fun things for the small children group:
1. a pinata (mostly for decoration, I think one or two of the kids might like it... my daugter will probably keep hugging it... NO candy but instead sounds and lots of colors...)
2. balloons (the special ones that last a while, at the end of the party every child will take one)
3. We are having it in our backyard so I'll have a canopy in case it is too hot. I will include one matt for the little ones to play and have paint (the veggie one in case they happen to eat it) and large paper for them to put the hands and feet. I might have one of those plastic pools and fill it up with large plastic balls.

HTH
K.

Dear R.,
This is my EDIT.....If you do hire a party planner, make sure they are legitimate, bonded and insured. There are people out there ready to take advantage...don't buy into just a phone number...there should be and agency name,website and if they have been in business for long they will also have a listed telephone number. Still I think a home/family party is BEST..and mean no disrespect or hurt to you.

The party planner for your baby's 1st birthday is YOU! A one-year celebration is not for the baby; it is for the parents, immediate family and Godparents celebrating the life of your child. (I have said this before).

A quiet HOME celebration, lunch or dinner, a cake, you will have lots of photo opportunities.

Now if you and your husband to have so much money you could hire a party planner for a one year old...I have a better idea. Make a donation to your local CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL or ask your religious leader to point you into the direction of a family with small children that could use come help. You could do all this anonymsly in honor of your child's first birthday.

Blessing to you and your family.

Wow!!! Lots of people got on their high horses to respond to you. R., if you want to hire a party planner for your daughter's 1st birthday, so that you can enjoy the day, and are not running around trying to get things organized, hire one. I am sorry that I don't know of anyone to recommend, but wanted to say that I don't think hiring someone to help you is outlandish. I think some of the people who have replied are being very judgmental, and wanted to write mostly to offer you support. Congratulations on your daughter's first birth day.

Hi R.,

Save your money. She won't even remember the party and you'll grow frustrating trying to plan this elaborate thing. Most 1st birthday parties are really for the adults. I mean how many "friends" could your child have at the age, that she will actually remember or know that she wants to have at her party. For each of our children, we have a BBQ with family and a small number of our friends, we wanted to celebrate the day, but not have something so overwhelming. Limiting it to some small and intimate will help keep the baby from becoming agitated.

Good luck and congrats on your 1 year old. Now you're really in for it.